Dafnis Preito/Si o Si Quartet, Stefon Harris & Blackout, Chris Potter, Joshua Breakstone, Samuel Barber

Dafnis Preito & Si o Si Quartet – Live at Jazz Standard NYC (Dafnison Music):  This is truly extraordinary jazz music. The rhythmic and melodic motifs in the compositions are so pronounced, and the musicianship so lissome, no matter the tempo, the impact of these live recordings from early in 2009 is deceptively strong. When the quartet is uptempo, particularly when its leader takes a percussion break, the impulse to dance is hard to resist. Similarly, as the group allows itself a reflective moment, the temptation to stop and listen to what they’re doing is equally difficult to defy. And the overall simplicity of approach within Si o Si may be the key: their ideas, whether structured or spontaneous, constitute the crystallization of their individual and collective experience within this group and without (each member has extensive history and current work outside this ensemble). Put this on "Best of 2009′ list now!

Stefon Harris & Blackout – Urbanus (Concord Jazz):  Stefon Harris plays like Muhammed ALi boxed, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. The softly glowing sound of his vibes invite the listener in, then give way to pointed musicianship from the rest of the Blackout band that challenges on a different level because the group might very well be as technically skilled as its leader. The use of vocoder is something of a distraction because it is trite (not to mention gimmicky) like the rest of the album is very definitely not, but it’s a forgettable blemish on what’s otherwise an engrossing piece of work. The leader himself might be more prominent–it may not be possible to hear too much of Stefon Harris–but restraint like he displays is another mark of a great musician and bandleader.

Chris Potter – Ultrahang (ArtistShare):  The independence that allows Saxophonist Chris Potter to work on his own, with Dave Holland and in multiple collaborative settings, doesn’t appear to affect his loyalty or his commitment to his own quartet, the unity of which lineup brings authority as well as contemporaneity to the music. Including a ballad arrangement of Dylan’s "It Ain’t Me Babe" in this otherwise generally uptempo set, the strong rhythmic base keeps the music accessible while Potter plays with a knowing sense of adventure, as do drummer Nate Wilson, guitarist Adam Rogers and keyboardist Craig Taborn.  The entire group approaches every element of in this studio work from an unusual angle which results in an unusually rewarding and durable listen.

Joshua Breakstone – No One New (Capri):  In the midst of hearing this quintessentially traditional guitar jazz, the title of the CD grows doubly ironic. As scholarly as his liner notes but never merely academic,  Joshua Breakstone smoothly executes with his adept trio (including drummer Eliot Zigmund who once accompanied the late Bill Evans), and while the fluidity of his playing can’t help but recall the work and sound of icons of the instrument (Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell et. al), his vibrant tone, sure rhythmic sense and great wit distinguish him. Most of the material is original(including one from bassist Lisle Atkinson), while the presence of songs by Joe Henderson and Jimmy Rowles further reaffirm Breakstone’s melodic sense: those tunes are of a piece with the new songs just like Breakstone’s playing fits in with the history of jazz guitar.


Samuel Barber Quartet – Pieces of Old Sky (Clean Feed):  Unfolding luxuriously slowly, this music of Barber’s is notable and laudable for the spaces and silence within the exquisitely detailed arrangements. He and his accompanists play  ever so carefully chosen notes with meticulous elegance. And while the sounds of trombone, guitar, bass and drums are of an almost unearthly quiet, it’s well nigh impossible not to stop and listen rather than allow it to become just background music. Music such as this requires patience to hear, but the dividends are in directly proportion to the effort–not to mention the number of notes played!

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